Amid intensifying measures to inspect new arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City, the southern metropolis has simultaneously been preparing additional isolation zones and field hospitals in a bid to cope with the increasingly complicated situation regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

During an online meeting held on March 12 between the Municipal Party Committee, the HCM City People's Committee, and districts, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Le Thanh Liem said the city has been preparing for a range of scenarios in order to be ready to deal with the complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic.

There are currently 30 isolation zones containing a total of 3,251 beds, with plans to add a further 21,000 beds at different hospitals throughout HCM City, bringing the total number of beds up to approximately 24,000.

With districts moving to implement strict isolation activities at homes and residential areas for 3,720 cases, a total of 3,126 cases have already had their isolation period ended.

At present, the southern city has two agencies capable of conducting tests for the COVID-19, including the Pasteur Institute and the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. More than 3,000 test kits have been prepared, while the city has also invested in an additional 20,000 test kits for future use.

The city’s Department of Health has organised four training courses for health care workers in a bid to improve their diagnosis and treatment skills as a means of preventing the further spread of the disease.

With the effective implementation of preventive measures, the city has so far only recorded four cases of infection, with no cases spreading to the wider community. Most notably, three of the cases have been successfully cured.

The southern city has also requested that local authorities prepare medical logistics options, whilst also setting up further isolation areas and field hospitals so they are fully prepared to cope with any future developments of the epidemic.